Can I give honey to my infant?

Honey should be excluded from the diet of children under one year old, even in minimal amounts. It may harbour (Clostridium botulinum) spores that are harmless to grown-ups but cause infant botulism, a rare but sometimes deadly disease in infants. The symptoms include weakness of muscles, difficulty in feeding, and respiratory distress. Past the age of one, a child’s digestive system is mature enough to process natural honey without harm. Until such time, sweetness can only be provided by fruits. Parents must be careful when checking food labels because honey is added sometimes to processed foods or children’s cereals or snacks.